“Huh?” A model? What model? Even though Yeonwoo was too baffled to respond, the man kept talking.
“I feel a bit embarrassed for rambling out of the blue. But don’t get the wrong idea—this isn’t just a random suggestion.”
Well, it did sound random.
“You’re really not a professional model or anything? Not signed with an agency?”
“…No, I’m not.”
“Even better. Debuting with me would be perfect. You’re here, so it’s not like you have zero interest. You are somewhat interested in modeling, right? Oh, and it’s nothing fancy—I’m just planning a personal photo exhibition. You and that bird you ‘keep’ would be ideal for what I have in mind. I’ve been missing my old dog lately, so I guess that’s where this inspiration came from.”
All that talk about his dog—he must have brought it up to suggest this.
“Who is this guy?” Yeonwoo was only listening out of sympathy for the loyal dog soul by his side.
“I already have a headache from remembering Mom’s words…” And now, out of nowhere, a modeling offer?
“No, thank—…” Yeonwoo was about to refuse when…
“Oh? Yeonwoo-ssi, you’ve already gotten chummy with the photographer?”
A low, smooth voice joined the conversation.
[Oh my G—. Yeonwoo, am I still alive?]
The child spirit on his head clutched its chest. The cooing sound above Yeonwoo’s head became frantic.
“Wow! Kwon Sunghyun-ssi! Of course it’s you. Awesome!”
The man who’d been rambling about dogs now clapped in excitement. Suddenly, there was Kwon Sunghyun, dressed in a polished outfit.
“Isn’t this weird? It feels a bit awkward returning to work after so long.”
“Awkward? No way, you look fantastic. Super cool! I heard you’d been sick—sorry about that—but now your sharper jawline and all give off an even more intense vibe. Perfect for an autumn-man concept.”
It seemed he was here for a magazine shoot, judging by his stylish attire. Even though it was still spring, these shoots had to anticipate the season ahead. The dark trench coat and autumnal atmosphere—just him standing there was already magazine-worthy.
“We won’t have any issues with this shoot. If only everyone was like Sunghyun—”
“Sir, where else would you find another Kwon Sunghyun? Be reasonable.”
A junior photographer who’d come with Kwon Sunghyun cut in, seemingly scolding the director.
“Yeonwoo-ssi, you already knew the photographer?”
“No, first time meeting him…”
“You two looked really close.”
“No way.”
He definitely wasn’t one for instant chattiness with strangers.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen our photographer talk so much to a new person. He’s usually shy around strangers. He barely spoke to me at first.”
“Sunghyun, cut that out. You’re making this awkward.”
Wait, he’s shy? Not that Yeonwoo could see it, considering how chatty the man was. On noticing Yeonwoo’s expression, the photographer smiled sheepishly.
“Anyway, Sunghyun, so you know this guy? You brought him?”
“Yes, we’re quite close,” Kwon Sunghyun replied.
“He saved me, after all.”
“Oh, wow. So who is he? An aspiring model or actor?”
“At the moment, just a regular civilian.”
“For real? Seriously? Why?”
The photographer gave Yeonwoo a once-over.
“Yeah, right?” Kwon Sunghyun added.
“Man, people out there must be blind. Lucky for me, though. By the way—your name?”
“Kang Yeonwoo. Nice name, huh?”
“…?”
Yeonwoo blinked. Why’s he introducing my name for me?
“Yes, it’s pretty. I’m Park Dae-il. But everyone calls me ‘Park the Photographer.’ I don’t like my name—kinda old-fashioned.”
Said the man who named his dog “Mung” or something… But oh well. Park Dae-il—Park the Photographer—extended his hand. Yeonwoo returned the handshake, and Dae-il handed him a business card.
“Photographer, can we hurry up? The clock’s ticking, and our client’s not known for patience. We’re basically dying here!”
A junior photographer intervened, making both Kwon Sunghyun and Park the Photographer look a little regretful.
“Aw, I haven’t even convinced him yet…” grumbled Park. But they had to start the shoot.
“So this is how a shoot works…”
It was Yeonwoo’s first time observing such a process, and he found it intriguing. For one thing, the normally chatty photographer, once he picked up his camera, seemed to fall into a trance, like a different person.
[Wow… good thing I came! Good thing I’m alive! Getting to watch our star at work with my own eyes… it’s breathtaking, Yeonwoo. So worth it—I feel reborn! I’m so glad!]
Meanwhile, Kwon Sunghyun’s transformation was no less impressive. The moment the camera focused on him, his aura flipped like a switch. Still, something else caught Yeonwoo’s eye.
-Name: Park Dae-il (34/Male)
-Occupation: Photographer
-Disposition: Neutral Good
-Specialties: Photography [A], Videography [A], Keen Eye [A+]
-Affection Level: Fairly High
-Current Physical Condition: Weak
-Current Emotional State: Eager, Excited
Some items cannot be viewed.
Detailed information is hidden.
You can currently harvest 15 days of lifespan from this individual.
Additional harvestable ability: Frame Composition [A]
The photographer’s status window had popped up when Yeonwoo shook his hand. The man supposedly was a well-known photographer, with at least three known “specialties,” all A-rank or higher, plus an “additional harvestable ability” also at A-rank.
The phrase “Additional Harvestable Ability” was what really got Yeonwoo’s attention.
He remembered how, when first harvesting lifespan from Han Su-han, the notification had said:
“Additional Harvested Stat Points: None.”
He’d suspected it was something huge—and now it was reappearing. “So it’s triggered now?”
He didn’t know exactly how this “big deal” might benefit him, but it sure looked promising.
“Of course, it’s in photography, but oh well…” he mused.
Even if the field wasn’t thrilling, it was an “Additional Ability” at A-rank. Seemed like he had an excellent reason to accept the photographer’s request.
Just as Kwon Sunghyun said, the shoot didn’t take long. The photographer apparently worked fast, and within a few hours, they wrapped everything up.
“Great work today!”
“Thanks, you too!”
Voices rang out all around. Simultaneously, a familiar ding! echoed in Yeonwoo’s mind:
[You have successfully harvested lifespan.]
[Harvested Lifespan: 14 days]
He’d secured the 14-day lifespan the moment the shoot ended.
“Yeonwoo-ssi, sorry for the wait.”
“It’s nothing. That ended faster than I thought.”
One of the stylists laughed.
“Well, it’s not just anyone—it’s Kwon Sunghyun!”
“Everything’s perfect, so there’s little to tweak, meaning the process flows fast. Plus, there won’t be much post-editing. Each shot’s already good enough that we barely have to filter them.”
Other staff chimed in:
“He’s so easy to work with that it’s a shame it ended so soon, haha.”
Their eyes sparkled as they spoke, or flicked glances at Kwon Sunghyun. The star himself maintained a polite smile, looking somewhat flustered.
“Thank you for the compliments. You all worked hard.”
His tone was courteous but almost formal. The staff, all a bit smitten, blushed and waved him off, looking honored.
“He’s surprisingly restrained,” Yeonwoo thought. He’d expected someone with his temperament to lap up the praise with a wagging tail, but here he was, acting reserved.
“Yeonwoo-ssi, please wait a moment. I’ll just get out of these clothes, fix my hair, and I’ll be right back. Won’t take long.”
“Alright, sure.”
As Kwon Sunghyun strode away, the staffers eyed Yeonwoo with curiosity:
“Hey, you came with Kwon Sunghyun, right? The guy with the bird on his head? Are you close with him? Could you be a new face in the industry?”
“I saw the photographer earlier inviting you to be a model—so you’re a model?”
Park the Photographer stepped in to mediate:
“Hey guys, go finish cleaning up. Quit eyeing the person I want to scout!”
“Aww, if you scout him, he’ll still be on our team, right? No difference.”
“Yes difference. I haven’t properly signed him yet. If you keep crowding him, you’ll spook him!”
“Ugh, fine. But we’re all excited, it’s been so long since we’ve seen a precious gem. Plus, it’s Sunghyun’s comeback!”
They left en masse. Park turned back to Yeonwoo:
“Sorry if that was overwhelming. They’re not bad kids. Usually they barely react to folks, but your ‘presence’ has them stoked—and of course, they’re excited about Sunghyun’s return. Don’t take it the wrong way.”
“I don’t mind.”
It was mostly friendly attention, after all.
Yeonwoo was especially sensitive to people’s gazes, able to read them easily without needing the system. He sensed mostly warmth.
“Anyway, Yeonwoo-ssi, would you reconsider shooting with me? It’s nothing complicated—just act normal with that pigeon of yours, and I’ll take the photos. No rigid concept or anything. So, want to try it…?”
“Sure,” Yeonwoo said.
“…You will? Really?”
Park looked stunned, as if expecting another swift refusal.
“For real?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not messing with me?!”
“Not at all.”
“R-really? You’ll pose for me? Huh, oh man… I need a second to breathe…”
A faint flush rose in Park’s pale cheeks. “This is just a photoshoot—why is he blushing?” Yeonwoo wondered.
“Am I sure it’s okay to accept?” he mused, when suddenly:
“Oh, you two have gotten very close. Since when?”
No one had noticed Kwon Sunghyun slip back in.
“Aren’t you bonding too well behind my back?” he teased.
“Sunghyun! Check it out—Yeonwoo-ssi said he’ll model for me!”
“Ah…” Kwon Sunghyun’s gaze shifted to Yeonwoo.
“So people do see something special in you, Yeonwoo-ssi. That’s a bit of a letdown for me.”
“Something special? Like what?”
“Doesn’t the photographer see it? A golden glow shimmering around you, almost like heat waves.”
“Huh? That’s not possible,” said Park.
“Who knows,” Kwon Sunghyun replied with a cryptic smile.
“So is that why you’re so insistent on him—because he caught your eye, Mr. Photographer?” he asked Park.
Leave a Reply